Kukla's Korner Hockey

I just talked to Pat Morris, the agent for Brad Richards, and while he would not say definitively that Richards would not waive his no-trade clause before the July 1 free agent deadline, he did say that Richards has to do what’s best for himself.

“I’m not aware of another player in this situation who has waived his no-trade clause, and I think there is a reason for that,’’ Morris said. “Accepting a move to another team creates an obligation, and you have to be pretty sure about that obligation. I think Brad has to do what’s best for himself and keep his options open.’‘

Richards has worked a long time to earn the no-trade clause and to earn a chance at free agency, and you can’t blame him for wanting to utilize that opportunity. He said that so much will go into his decision, and so much is based on his experience already.

Comments

It’s too bad the Stars didn’t make the playoff, making their decision not to trade Richards at the deadline a pretty easy “hindsight is 20/20” call, but why would Richards waive his NTC? He’s going to be the most sought after UFA forward (if not the most sought after at any position) and he’ll essentially be able to pick his team AND his price.

But what it would do is weaken a team’s roster if he plans on signing with that team.

Good point. Not to mention that it would pile that much more pressure on you if a team gave up picks and/or roster players to get you. It’s one thing if the team has the cap space to give you a huge contract, it’s another thing for the team to have possibly mortgaged their future AND paid you out the nose.